More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Mons Meg

Historic 15C cannon in Edinburgh Castle, made of long metal bars hooped together. The origin of its name is not known (there is no evidence that it was made at Mons in Belgium), but its first recorded use was in 1497 – by *James IV against Norham Castle in Northumberland. Its barrel burst in 1682 when firing a salute in honour of the duke of York, later James II and VII.